Enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime lunch for you and a guest with award-winning actor, and Oceana Board Member Sam Waterston at the world-renowned Blue Hill at Stone Barns. This exclusive dining experience offers the rare opportunity to share an intimate meal and engaging conversation with one of America’s most celebrated actors and passionate ocean advocates.
Lunch with Sam Waterston
As a member of Oceana’s Board of Directors, Waterston brings extraordinary talent, influence, and dedication to advancing the organization’s mission to protect and restore the world’s oceans.
“I’ve loved the ocean all my life,” explains Waterston. “As a New Englander, I’ve seen the nasty effects of fisheries collapse on the life of seaside towns. Scientists now warn us that unless we do something, the world is on a path to global fishery collapses by mid-century, a calamity of mind-boggling proportions we can still avert. The time to act is now, which is why I’m very happy to be working with an organization as effective as Oceana.”
Born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Waterston attended Brooks School and Groton School before earning a scholarship to Yale University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1962. Later that year, he made his New York debut at the Phoenix Theatre.
Over the course of a distinguished career spanning more than five decades, Waterston has earned acclaim across film, television, and theater including, at the Delacorte and Public Theaters, a dozen plays by Shakespeare. His honors include Emmy, Golden Globe, Screen Actors Guild, OBIE, and Drama Desk awards, as well as an Academy Award nomination for his portrayal of journalist Sydney Schanberg in “The Killing Fields” and a Tony nomination for “Abe Lincoln in Illinois.” He is perhaps best known to television audiences for his acclaimed performances in “I’ll Fly Away” and “Law & Order” and “Grace and Frankie.”
Private Dining at Blue Hill at Stone Barns
Your unforgettable experience will take place at Chef Dan Barber’s celebrated Blue Hill at Stone Barns, one of the world’s most acclaimed dining destinations. Awarded two MICHELIN Stars and a MICHELIN Green Star for sustainability, Blue Hill is internationally recognized for its pioneering approach to regenerative agriculture and exceptional culinary innovation.
Set within the scenic Hudson Valley, the restaurant showcases hyper-seasonal ingredients sourced from its surrounding farm and partner producers, creating an ever-evolving tasting experience that reflects the rhythms of nature. Every plate embodies a profound respect for the land, echoing Oceana’s commitment to protecting the sea and making this experience a perfect blend of luxury, purpose, and meaningful conversation.
Restrictions
- Package valid for the winning bidder, one guest, and Sam Waterston.
- Participants must be at least 18 years of age.
- This is a private meet-and-greet experience.
- The winner may take photographs during the experience.
- Experience must be scheduled on a mutually agreed-upon date.
- Subject to Sam Waterston’s schedule and Blue Hill at Stone Barn’s availability.
- Cannot be resold or re-auctioned.
- Cannot be transferred.
- Transportation, travel, and accommodations are not included.
Generously donated by Sam Waterston and Blue Hill at Stone Barns.
Should a travel or experience donation be canceled, postponed, delayed, or rescheduled due to force majeure (i.e., weather, act of God, state of war, terrorism, strike, pandemic, etc.) or any other condition beyond reasonable control, the purchase will be honored, per the experience provider, at the experience provider’s discretion, and the winner will be expected to either attend or transfer the purchase accordingly. No cash refunds.
Oceana, Federal ID number: 51-0401308, is a nonprofit designated by the Internal Revenue Service as tax exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Contributions to Oceana may be considered tax deductible for federal income tax purposes but are limited to the excess of money (and the fair market value of property other than money) contributed over the value of the goods or services provided in return by Oceana.
This is a Live Auction item. If you are not planning to attend the 2026 New York Gala, we encourage you to participate in our top-drawer Live Auction by completing this absentee form and emailing it to Carolina Quijano at cquijano@oceana.org by Monday, September 14, 2026.
